USS Alsea: Into the Empire

Several light years from the Klingon/Federation border the small, cloaked, Bird of Prey IKS Bloodblade patrolled scanning for signs of Federation treachery or the return of the much feared Undine. The tactical officer had to look at his scope twice to verify that his information was correct before taking it to his captain. He should not have been surprised to see a Starfleet vessel, they were in Federation space after all, but to see a Federaton ship on the heading it was on at high warp was the surprise. So, Lieutenant Harag turned to his commander

"Sir, sensors are picking up a Federation starship, Prometheus Class, USS Alsea. On their present course they will cross the border in three standard hours."

"Those miserable P'taq! They dare send a warship into our space!?! Communications, send an encrypted transmission to High Command. The Federation cowards will pay for their insolence!"

The last statement brought a roar from his crew and the captain echoed their enthusiasm with one of his own. Today was a good day to die.

****

After the briefing broke up Jureth strode onto the bridge and without taking the center seat addressed Shawn Hunter.

"Mister Hunter, ETA to Klingon Space?"

"Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes Sir, we'll make our first jump just on their side of the line."

"Very good, Cat, any sign of Klingon patrols?"

She shook her head "Not on long range sensors, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. There are also several Klingon listening posts that no doubt will detect our presence."

"With any luck they won't see us for very long. As you were people, I will be in Sick Bay receiving my physical."

"Sounds like fun." Sorripto said with a chuckle as we walked past the Captain to the engineering station.

Sitting down Sorripto began working on a series of minor realignments that would improve sensor capabilities. The Alsea was a new ship to him, and he wanted to be sure that she could handle the full upgrades before they arrived to Klingon space.

Jureth strode past Cat, who winked at him knowing how much he disliked going to Sick Bay for any reason, and entered the turbo lift commanding it to take him to the deck where the Alsea's Sick Bay resided. As he strode into the medical area several medical crewman stopped immediately as he entered.

"As you were, will one of you please let Doctor Carter know I'm here for my physical."

Ensign Ch'zarrin entered Dr. Carters office to announce that the Captain had arrived. He's been a bit apprehensive around the doctor since his first impression wasn't great .

"Ensign Ch'zarrin," Dr Carter said without looking up from his PADD "how can I help you?"

"Sir, Captain Jureth is here for his physical."

"Great" Dr Carter said as he rose from behind his desk. "Please show him into exam room 2 while I get some things ready. We will be testing the new scanner with the captain, so no need to set out the standard equipment."

Ch'zarrin left the office and returned to where the captain was waiting. "Sir,  Dr. Carter is on his was, but he asked me to show you to exam room 2 and he will be with  you shortly."

"Thank you Ensign, hopefully we can expedite this...process," Oseno replied.

It wasn't that Jureth hated doctors, far from it. Doctors had saved his eye after the bar fight he'd gotten into with a Cardassian as a young ensign, and throughout Federation history some of the most remarkable advances in technology were in the medical field. It wasn't even that going to Sickbay meant being poked and prodded, not anymore anyway. It was more the stigma of the place, that somehow a trip to Sickbay meant something was wrong with you even if everyone knew there wasn't, and so the place was the universal bane of security offficers and commanding officers alike. 

"This way sir" responded Ch'zarrin. "According to the Doctor, we will be utilizing a prototype scanner technology. We just had it installed today. According to the specs, the average physical will take no more than 5 minutes. For you sir, it's not so much about your physical health" Ch'zarrin said as the approached the door to the exam room "it's about getting a baseline mapping of your mental health. WIthout a ships counselor all senior officers and anyone else deemed necessary by the Doctor or Captain for that matter has to get a baseline mental health mapping. Because of the scanner, you'll go from an hour one on one interview by the doctor to a 5 minute scan."

Ch'zarrin opened the exam room. "Sir, it is an honor to serve with you."

"Thank you Ensign, though I don't especially see myself as any different than any other commanding officer. If you had told me two years ago I would be commanding a starship I'd have told you you were crazy. My idea of command coming out of the Academy was the chief of security on a starbase." 

Dr. Carter walked down the hallway towards the Captain. "Sir, i apologize for the wait. Things have been a bit hectic since we left space dock.I am glad your able to come down before we are too far into the mission.” Dr. Carter escorted the Captain into the exam room,

“I know your now keen on Sickbay, so iI’ve arranged to pilot a new piece of technology. The regular physical exam only requires a quick medical scan, however the mental evaluation has always been a one on one interview with a ships counselor and validated by the Chief Medical Officer.” The doctor sat at a small desk in the room and the captain in a chair across. “Since we don't have a Counselor, i figured the prototype Command Capacity Scanner would be ideal, unless you’d prefer to do your 90 minute assessment with me? If you choose the scan, we’re talking about 15 minutes of your time. The scanner will do a cognitive mapping and set established baseline. We’ll be able to compare these baselines at any interval. The current trigger points are any noticeable changes, at the request of Starfleet Command, or in the rare case of invoking Starfleet Order 104 Section C.”

Dr. Carter paused to let the information set in with the Captain. “You don't have to do the mental evaluation this very moment and if you choose to use the Command Capacity Scanner, you also don't need my presence, as any medical crew member can perform the test and transmit your results to me. One final thing. Since you’ve been sitting here, the proximity scanner has already completed your physical, so just let me know what you choose for the mental evaluation.”

"New technology is always a good thing Doctor, so by all means, run your scanner. At the same time you are more than welcome to stay and ask any questions you feel necessary. I'd hate to be seen as uncooperative with my CMO." The last bit Jureth said with a smile on his face. The Bajoran knew Dr. Carter was a veteran and seen more than his share of uncooperative senior officers. 

"Not at all Sir," Carter replied as he began running the scanner "I've read your record, I have a very good idea of your psychological profile. Lietenant Lyrya was very thorough in her last evaluation of you."

Oseno remembered his last session with Counselor Lyrya, it had been after the incident with the reincarnation of Khan Noonien Singh. The augment had injured several members of Oseno's Polaris crew..and tortured Lieutenant T'lana in front of Jureth to gain the Polaris command codes from him.

"Lieutenant Lyrya is very good at what she does," Oseno said in reply

Carter nodded "Indeed, to be honest Sir I would be more worried about you if you hadn't needed to meet with her after the things you went through. That would indicate a possible detachment from reality or inability to process the events." 

The scanner in Carter's hand beeped just then and the doctor examined the monitor "All finished," he proclaimed "The readout matches your known profile Sir. You are all clear." 

"Thank you Doctor, I look forward to working with you. Please let me know if there is anything you need." 

"I will do that Sir." 

Oseno nodded and left sickbay tapping his communicator as the doors closed behind him.

"Oseno to Sangliar, how is it coming in engineering XO, you break anything yet?"

"Unfortunately no, Captain; they all run away before I can fully swing my hydrospanner at their skull. But you're welcome to bring me yours... Sir."

The Tellarite grumbled something inintelligible, even for the universal translator before reporting.

"Mister Sorripto, to my utter amazement, has succeeded in implementing his hairbrained scheme. Seems we are ready to give the Klingon Empire the slip."

Sorripto turned his head towards the XO, and gave him a wink. Tuning back towards his console Sorripto continued his work.

"Excellent," Oseno replied genuinely pleased that his officers were working so well together. "We should be getting close to the Klingon border. They will probably pick us up as we cross but hopefully they won't have us for long. I am heading back to the bridge from Sickbay, Oseno out."

Jureth rode the turbolift to the bridge and stepped through it's open doors into the nerve center of the Alsea, and Cat Steele made for way for him at the command chair.

"Report," 

"Steady on course Sir," Cat said "No sign of anything unusual."

Jureth nodded in acknowledgement "Mister Hunter, ETA to Klingon space?"

"Approximately an hour Sir,"

"Very good, steady as she goes. Engineering is ready when we cross the border."

The next hour passed excruciatingly slowly, at least to Jureth. He busied himself with requisition and duty roster approvals from the various departments, but his head was busy contemplating all the aspects of their mission the least of which was attempting to navigate through two hostile territories. If they were tracked, or caught, the Federation could find themselves back in a war again. Just as his head was about to present him with all sorts of tragic ends to his first official command Shawn Hunter spoke up.

"Coming up on the Klingon border Captain. Crossing the line in three...two..one. We are now in Klingon space Sir." 

"Conn, tactical, we have a problem." The voice was Lieutenant Steele's but even though she was clearly concerned it didn't warble a bit

"What's wrong Lieutenant?" 

"I'm picking up incoming warp signatures. They are on an intercept course, time to intercept thirty minutes." 

"Identitfy."

"Preliminary identification is two Vor'cha Class attack cruisers."

"How in the name of the Prophets are they on an intercept course?" Jureth questioned "They couldn't have picked us up that quickly." 

"They must have had a warning," Cat said "Maybe a covert listening post in Federation space." 

"It doesn't matter, we cannot engage the Klingons or allow them to intercept us,"

Jureth tapped his combadge

"Oseno to Sangliar; XO, we have Klingons incoming.We need to disappear." 

"Aye, that we sure have to... Have the helm plot a course directly in line with the nearest star and tactical ready the class X probes we have just altered... then wait our signal to launch it and reduce our speed to warp 9 exactly."

The Tellarite looked positively fearsome when he was frowning.

"Okay crew, time to earn your pay for a change; prepare to alter the matter-antimatter ratio to zero point nine-zero point nine, on my mark."

He turned to his Cardassian assistant.

"Time to do your magic, Lieutenant."

Sangliar's plan was this; disappear a moment from enemy sensors blinded by a star's direct output, modify the warp signature of the ship to look like the much weaker one of a probe and send in the opposite direction a lure; made up of five probes welded together and calibrated to the ship's very own warp signature, it would imitate the ship's power output, substituted to the disguised one of the real ship and seemingly showing her retreating at warp 9 back to Federation space. Sorripto's enhancements would provide definitive assurance in thus confounding their incoming enemies.

Klingons loved to beleive Starfleet officers to be weak cowardly dogs that would run away to avoid a fight with powerful imperial warships manned by true warriors. They would detect both power outputs of course, but would assume what they would think to be the obvious probe lure was launched to hide their retreat; not their uncharacteristically brave and suicidal flight deeper into Klingon territory. And of course, both Klingon commanders would want to get the glory of the kill, not debase himself with  the menial, safe task of pursuing and destroying a mere probe.This psychological bias would be the key to luring them quickly away as the Alsea fled and lost her pursuers by flying into another blanketing star emission.

Or so he hoped.

"Ready to alter engine output," came the confirmation of Sangliar,s engineering staff.

"Lure in aft tube, ready to fire," Steele,s voice reported over the comm.

"We are in position," finally said Hunter's voice.

"Mark!"

All at once, while veiled by stellar energies, the speed, warp signature and power output of the Alsea dropped and the set of modified probes launched to emerge in their wake and away at warp 9 outside the star's masking output as the ship herself continued directly towards the nearest star.

The dice were cast.

Aboard the lead Vor'cha Class vessel the tactical officer detected what he believe to be the retreat of the enemy vessel and reported as much to his captain. Unfortunately for him the less honed Klingon sensor array was not capable of detecting the ruse put forth by the Alsea's XO.

"Sir, the Federation ship...it appears to be retreating. The have also launched what the sensors say is a probe..."

"COWARDS!!" the captain bellowed "Helm, pursuit course! Order the Razorclaw to disregard the other signature.  We will find the probe after we catch these Federation lackeys and show them what happens when they dare challenge the Klingon Empire!" 

As the captain of the lead vessel was the more senior, his orders were obeyed as they chased down what they believed was a prize to be taken. Both vessels accelerated following the signature they had initially detected as it retreated back toward the boarder and eventually they came within striking distance. As they did so the tactical officer knew immediately that they had been fooled. 

"Captain...there is something wrong. The target...it is not a Federation ship." 

"WHAT?!" the commander growled "How can that be?!" 

"I..I do not know Sir. The computer positively identified the vessel, it matched the description given by the Bloodblade." 

"On Screen!" 

What appeared on the viewer was most definitely not a Federation starship, and now the captain was not only confused but furious that he had been made to look like a fool.

"Reverse course! Find me that ship!"

"Sir," the tactical officer protested "they could be anywhere by now."

"EXCUSES!" the commander roared and pulled his disruptor from its holster firing and catching the tactical officer square in the chest. The officer's lifeless body fell out of it's chair to the deck and the captain looked around the bridge "You!" he said pointing at another officer "Take his post. Does anyone else have any excuses?" 

Not a sound was made on the bridge as the captain's previous order was carried out, but all the crew knew they would likely never find the Starfleet vessel unless it chose to reveal itself again.

***

"Captain, the Klingons are following the lure," Lieutenant Steele reported with a smile on her face "They are leaving the area fast and noisy." 

Jureth nodded,

"Oseno to Engineering, looks like they bought it. Good work XO, and you as well Mister Sorripto. Once they realize what  has happened we will be well out of their sensor range. Now we just have to stay hidden until we can cross back over." 

"Helm has the flight path to use all the stars on our course as blankets... if anyone aboard can steer," grumbled the Tellarite. "With Mister Sorripto's surprising ingenuity added, and a little bit of luck, we should avoid drawing any further attention. After all, the Klingons will be expecting us to try to spy or attack some strategic spot, or some such warrrior nonsense... not just skim through their territory to reach the Romulan Empire."

As the communication closed, he turned his thick lips to his assistant,s ear, right at level as he was sitting beside him.

"Good work," he whispered; "and if you repeat this to anyone, I will not only deny it, but I will have you flogged on the main mast for insulting an officer of the Crown."

He left him with one last severe look and a "carry on, Lieutenant," before going deeper into engineering to better harass a group of junior technicians.

After all, they all needed to be sharp as knives for what was to come.

As the XO walked away Sorripto entered a few commands on the console he was sitting at and the screen indicated a boost in effectiveness to both the deflector and navigational thrusters. Understanding what the plan was, Sorripto just made it easier. As he turned to update the XO, he noticed the Tellarite deep in a shouting fit directed at some young crewmen. Pausing for a moment, Sorripto decided against interrupting and instead turned to make his way back to the bridge, where he could better coordinate the system usage.